Market and strappwaffles.

I got up around 8am because that’s when my roommates got up. I let them get ready first and then I did. I had breakfast ready for me, so I was just taking my time. After I finished, I hung out in the lobby area waiting for SEK to come pick me up. I took the time to read the news, check email, and write up last night’s journal entry. I’ve already done a lot here, and I can’t wait for what’s next.

Now I’m just waiting for SEK to arrive. She finally arrived around noon-time. The first thing we did was head out to a street market area. I like these kinds of markets because it really reflects the culture. We got some drinks – I got mango juice that tasted exactly like orange juice. I also got the strappwaffels, which is a waffle with syrup sandwiched in between. It’s quite delicious, and I decided that it will be my souvenir for teachers. I have to work out more ideas for specific people that I should get gifts for. After the market it started to rain a bit more. It was much colder today that it was yesterday.

We took the subway to Niewmart, which is where the red-light district is. We walked around there for a little bit, just to check it out. It was pretty interesting and you did get a sense that it’s not that safe. We ate some fries at FEBO and there was a fight outside. We went to the old church where there was a picture gallery for events that happened around the world in the past year. It was a really interesting church. Rembrandt’s wife was buried there.

After that, we left to have some coffee at a Café at the Dutch East India Co. or VOC. It was ok, but the part that got to me was being part of history. It was cool just to be there. We made a plan for the rest of my stay, so it was good.

We took one last stop to a church in the attic. It is a catholic church and you that in Amsterdam, they are very tolerant of religion, but before it was hush-hush. We talked more inside, but it soon became 5pm and she needed to leave for her school thing. I took the tram back to the Riks Museum and went inside there for a little bit. I had to speed through it. After that, I went to the supermarket to get some bar soap and water.

After the supermarket, I went back to the hostel to warm up my dinner. After dinner, I went on the internet to check some things out. From there, I went to get some postcards to mail to family. It was hella expensive to buy, not including stamps. So each one was about $2.

I came back to write them and then I wrote this entry. I’m getting tired so I might consider going to sleep earlier tonight. I will have a very busy day tomorrow. I plan to go clubbing and watch MI3.